Flooding in Vietnam: Climate change and poor planning to blame, say experts
Assalamu alaykum - Dozens dead, thousands evacuated and millions in damage. Vietnam is once again facing severe flooding that experts link to climate change and poor infrastructure choices. The country’s location and landscape make it naturally prone to typhoons and seasonal floods, but heavier rains from a warming climate and rapid urban growth are making things worse.
Stronger, wetter storms - Vietnam lies in a very active tropical cyclone zone and usually sees heavy rains from June to September. Normally around ten typhoons or tropical storms affect the country each year, but it’s already had 12 in 2025. As one climate scientist noted, climate change appears to be shaping Vietnam’s risk by producing fewer but potentially more intense cyclones with heavier bursts of rain. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, increasing the risk of flash floods, especially in crowded cities. Rising sea levels are also putting extra pressure on coastal communities.
Topography and infrastructure - With about 3,200 km of coastline and a network of roughly 2,300 rivers, Vietnam is highly vulnerable to flooding. Much of the land struggles to drain quickly after heavy rains because of its topography. In some areas human activities have worsened the situation: upstream forest clearing for hydropower, paving over drainage channels and rapid urbanization have all contributed to increased flooding and landslides. Experts urge a change in how people treat the environment to reduce future harm.
Devastating impacts - This week’s record rainfall in central Vietnam killed at least 10 people and flooded more than 100,000 homes; in Hue up to 1.7 meters of water fell in 24 hours. The floods add to earlier inundations in Hanoi and other areas tied to storms and heavy rain fronts. Natural disasters - mostly storms, floods and landslides - left 187 people dead or missing in the first nine months of this year, and hundreds more were lost last year, including in Typhoon Yagi, which caused around $1.6 billion in losses.
Responses - The government has been active with early warnings and evacuation orders, helping people move to higher ground. Dykes, sea barriers and drainage systems in major deltas have been reinforced or newly built, and some vulnerable villages have been relocated to safer areas. But experts warn that focusing only on defense infrastructure without reducing the underlying risks will leave the country in a costly spiral of ever greater protection needs.
Climate adaptation is expensive, and developing countries like Vietnam depend on stronger international support. Promises from wealthier nations to increase adaptation funding have not been met, leaving a gap in resources needed to protect vulnerable communities.
May Allah protect those suffering and guide leaders and communities to wiser, more sustainable choices.
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